Even Eugene… Travel Wellness on your terms

Guestrooms are spacious

Travel wellness at a chain hotel? Yes, indeed. The Even Eugene opened January 2018. It’s the first of its kind on the west coast and there are only seven others in the world. Based on guest feedback the Even chain was created to focus on wellness travel.

Eugene welcomes this unique, quirky, casual, retro-meets-modern minimalist property. Its “wellness on my terms” orientation fits perfectly into the local culture and attitude.

The 100 guestrooms are roomy and each includes its own fitness area. Even rooms are designed to meet goals of wellness-oriented travelers. People who don’t want their fitness-oriented lifestyle derailed when on the road.

Enter on the ground level, and just past the conference rooms… you’re

Living wall in entry hall

greeted with a floor-to-ceiling living wall. You can’t help but touch it to assure those plants are real. Light, clean, minimalist, sort of Scandinavian in feel.

Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and you find a spacious lobby/reception area. The check-in desk is also minimal. More of a kiosk than a traditional imposing counter.

And then you notice the quirky sayings stenciled on the walls. “Don’t think of them as stairs…they’re little hurdles.” “Stay hydrated… stay well.” And leading to the patio…”Come on out… the nature’s fine.” You’ll find them throughout the hotel including your room.

This place does not take itself too seriously and will make you smile with its humor. Certainly not your traditional, stuffy, boring business hotel. Even the staff’s business cards have non-traditional titles. You’ll meet the “Chief Wellness Officer” and “Accomplish More Manager.”

Open, welcoming & you’re in charge of travel wellness choices

The floor plan is very open and flowing. You move from reception to the

Open floor plan invites you

24/7 grab and go food and beverage area. Chose healthy or decadent. Or drift on into the restaurant, bar and computer area. Convenient power and internet access invite work, conferencing or just relaxing. Big screen televisions offer diversion, but quietly enough not to be distracting.

The commitment to wellness extends to the multi-zone 1000 square-foot workout studio. Don’t be

Workout studio for guests… and staff

surprised to see staff working out with you. Wellness and fitness are encouraged. The general manager leads weekly workouts. His assistant takes guests on runs through Alton-Baker Park’s extensive paths.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the most serious fitness fiend busy. But this is wellness your way. You can choose a fresh smoothie, healthy frittata… or go for an egg and Canadian bacon sandwich.

Wind down with a healthy version of cobb or go for an all-natural burger or

7 Unique Eugene Tours

Eugene Bike paths tour along the Willamette River provide miles of easy entertainment

There are no shortage of things to see and do in Eugene. I’ve created a pdf map that has different activity tours you might enjoy based on your interests. From parks, events, adventure, the arts and the quirky, it’s all here.

Tour the University

This tour will help you explore all the University of Oregon campus and neighborhood have to offer.

Tour and play in the parks

This is your guide to the diversity of the Eugene Parks. Most activities here are kid and pet-friendly, but you need to know the one place not to take your dog.

Downtown Shopping tour

Highlights of great spots to visit with your girlfriends. Between the highlighted spots you’ll no doubt discover many additional favorites.

234 Reasons to be here on Saturday

This is THE place to visit on Saturday and you won’t want to miss it.

Eugene Ale Trail tour

If you’re a beer lover you’ll want to experience this ultimate pub crawl before you die. It’s a not to be missed exploration.

Experience West Coast Festivals

There are lots of fabulous west coast festivals to experience this summer. Here are some great events that will make a fun, memorable trip.

San Francisco Summer of Love

West Coast Festival – San Francisco Summer of Love 1967

This summer is the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love”. SanFrancisco is packed with event offerings and great music. Many of them are free! For a complete listing visit: http://summerof.love/events/2017-06/.

From April 17th until September 4, 2017, you can take a “magic carpet ride” through the city. Featuring San Francisco landmarks, the 2-1/2 hour guided tour departs three times daily. Explore the city that launched a cultural revolution.

It’s a high energy atmosphere and so much fun. It used to be traditional jazz, but it has evolved into much more. Jazz, blues, rock, zydeco and more. Bands from around the world.

There are many venues and free buses whisk attendees with no parking worries. You’ll wake up to music in the morning and go to sleep with it echoing in your brain. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that makes me smile every time I remember my visits.

Portland rose Festival

Grand Floral Parade at Portland’s Rose Festival

Portland is often called the City of Roses. Their Rose Garden is a must see. And at Rose Festival time, you’ll see them all in bloom. Usually held in early June, this year it is May 26 – June 11, 2017. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, built on the site of a former freeway hosts the celebration.

Besides the festival, the week offers concerts, water races, and other events. June 3rd will be the evening Starlight Parade through downtown Portland. The week culminates with the Grand Floral Parade on June 10.

This year is honors the 100 years of roses at the International Rose Test Garden. For complete details visit www.rosefestival.org.

Napa Valley Festival

Taste of Napa

The Napa Valley is also in the festival mode. July 14-23, 2017 will be the best of Napa.

Features include food, wine, music, dance, theater and more. They plan to offer the finest performing arts. Stars of music, dance, and theater combined with fine wine and cuisine.

Complete details are here: https://festivalnapavalley.org/

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Shakespearean festival under the stars

Each year Oregon Shakespeare Festival attracts people in droves. This regional repertory theater in Ashland, Oregon is first class. The festival produces eleven plays on three stages. The season lasts from mid-February until early November.

The festival is set against a backdrop of pristine parks and stunning landscapes. You’ll find great food and friendly locals. For complete details visit: https://www.osfashland.org

Tall Ships

Tall ships crew setting off

Ship Ahoy!! Direct from the movies, the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are on the move. Early in the spring, they sail from their home in Washington to San Diego.

Then they make their way up the coast stopping in ports and sharing their magic.

It’s the experience of a lifetime and if you have the opportunity, don’t miss it. Here is a link to their 2017 schedule:

Highland Games

Highland Games are a great way to spend a day, a weekend or several. Fun for the entire family and there is probably one near you.

Bagpipes, drummers, brass, piano, harps and more. Add in the dancers, parades and the games.

Ah yes, the games. What is more fun than watching men in kilts vie for titles in arduous events? Kaber tossing (think small telephone poles). Pitching boulders, kegs, staffs and more. The events are as diverse as the games.

The quickest way to find an up-to-date list of Highland Games near you is a Google Search. Type in highland games and the state where you want to attend one. It may surprise you how many there are. Open to everyone, you don’t have to be English or Scottish to attend. Bring your smile and come have fun.

Experience Eugene…. Portland Fun

Without the Traffic

Eugene offers fun quirkiness and the diversity of Portland. But there is a key difference… you get that fun feeling and gorgeous scenery without the big city traffic. And, it’s

home to the University of Oregon Ducks! It’s laid back, casual, sophisticated, cultural and quirky all at once. It’s a beautiful outdoors playground.

At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, the hills tuck in and the valley narrows. The city takes advantage of two high Cascade snow melt rivers, the Willamette and the McKenzie. They create a habitat for wildlife and a place for people to have a great outdoors experience.

Whether you arrive by car, Amtrak train or air, you will find getting around Eugene easy. The airport is user-friendly. They say fly EUG, it’s EASY. Easy to get around, easy to park, easy to find a cab, a shuttle or a car.

Amtrak riders disembark only blocks from the heart of downtown and hotel properties. Cabs and the local bus service can whisk you wherever you want to go if you don’t want to rent a car.

Outdoors fun is one of the most popular activities.

There are over 46 miles of shared use paths. Want to hike? We have lots of

Wooden bridge along walking path

that too. Many of the trails run alongside the river and delta ponds.

See the town like a local. There are at least 10 different resources for renting a bike. With all those paths plus 187 miles of on-street bicycle lanes, it’s a great way to get around. Check out this web page sponsored by the city. You can even download a free bicycle map. https://www.eugene-or.gov/3260/Bike-Rentals

If you like watersports those are aplenty. Rent a canoe at Alton Baker Park and explore the inlets. Kayak, boat or sail at Fern Ridge Reservoir. With its 9000 acres, you can paddle narrow inlets, or sail across wide expanses. Catch white crappie, brown bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and native cutthroat trout. Many easily accessible parks dot the shoreline offering great picnic locations.

You’ll find diverse arts, music, and theater rub shoulders with baseball, track and field and football at Autzen Stadium. Kids sports, soccer, hockey, and golf are all there to tempt or entertain you.

Go for a Broadway play, the symphony or a ballet at the Hult Center.

Hult Center

Wander through the many galleries located throughout the downtown. Like classical music? You can enjoy nearly three weeks of events at the Oregon Bach Festival. It runs late June to mid-July. http://oregonbachfestival.com/

And then there is the food. Many restaurants feature fresh, locally sustainable regardless of cuisine. Cafes, food trucks, fine dining… you will find the diversity delightful.

Here are 5 fun Eugene activities you might want to include:

1. Tour the markets.

5th Street Market has made a name for itself as a premium attraction. It’s located on the site of a historical market where vendors could rent space for $5.00 a day. Now you’ll find diverse boutiques and great food options like Marche, Provisions and the food court. Plus the market there are lots of local merchants along 5th and 6th Streets. Restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries vie for your attention. In good weather, your dog can join you in one of the outdoor patio dining areas.

Eugene Farmer’s Market

On Tuesday and Saturday, you can experience the Lane County Farmer’s Market. It

offers a wide diversity of fresh, organic produce and flowers. You find farm fresh eggs, meats and honey as well as a wide range of prepared foods you can enjoy there or take home. It’s held on Oak St and 8th, only a few blocks from 5th Street Market.

On Saturdays, the Saturday Market joins the Farmer’s Market across eighth street at Oak. Across two park blocks, you’ll find over 200 local artisans offer handcrafted wares. Before you reach the International Food Court, you’ll catch aromas and spices of Asia, India and local favorites. Made fresh on site with local produce when possible. Music from the entertainment stage carries across the venue. It features live music of every imaginable type. Bring the family, there is something for all ages. But please, no pets allowed.

2. Museums on University of Oregon campus.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is beautiful architecture. It was built without windows to protect the treasures inside. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here you will find an extensive collection of American, European, Korean, Chinese and Japanese art. Visit Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 5pm, Wednesday until 8pm. You’ll find it at 1430 Johnson Lane.

A short walk across campus is the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. It highlights the university’s anthropological, zoological and paleontological artifacts. It focuses on the natural and cultural history of the area. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 5pm. 1680 East 15th Avenue. Website: http//natural-history.uoregon.edu/.

3. Relax and enjoy a sunset

Sweetwater’s patio is a great spot to watch the Willamette River while you

Sweetwaters patio

dine or sip your favorite beverage. Located at Valley River Inn, it is blessed with an amazing river view. Accessible from either the parking lot or the walking path along the river, it is a popular place to gather.

The patio is perfect to enjoy a warm summer afternoon, the river and your favorite brew. If it’s a bit chilly to sit outdoors enjoy the views from the panoramic windows. They specialize in fresh, local Northwest cuisine. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Whether you want fine dining, or just enjoy a glass of wine and the view, this is a popular place to relax and do just that. Sweetwater is located at 1000 Valley River Way (541) 341-3462 http://www.valleyriverinn.com/dining.htm.

4. Enjoy a game.

No matter what time of year you visit there are great

sporting events to watch. In summer, take in a Eugene Emeralds baseball game at PK Park. The whole family will love it. Kids love their special activities. They get to run the field, play games and visit with Sluggo, the team mascot. http://www.milb.com.

Track and field events take place on campus at historic Hayward Field. It’s great family entertainment. Parking nearby can be iffy. But public transportation will whisk you there and back again without any issues.

Starting In September, the acoustics at Autzen Stadium roar as fans cheer the Ducks football team. GO DUCKS! The games sell out so get tickets well in advance.

Come early and meet up for tailgating. Casual to sophisticated, it’s considered an art form and a great way to spend time with friends.

Avoid the traffic… take advantage of park and ride centers strategically located around town.

In the winter, it’s back to campus and Matthew Knight Arena for basketball. (This fabulous arena is also a great location to catch a concert or other special event.)

5. Experience the Eugene Ale Trail.

The area has a legacy of home brewing

Ale Trail

before, during and after prohibition. The ultra pure water of the McKenzie is a brew crafters dream. Add a strong emphasis on local and regional hops and grains and you have a great recipe for great brews. The close proximity to many of the many beer tasting rooms makes it easy to do the ultimate pub crawl.

You can pick up a Passport from any participating brewery or bottleshop. They are also available at The Downtown Eugene Visitor Center at 754 Olive Street, or the Adventure Center in Springfield.

As you visit each brewery, ask them to stamp your passport. Collect eight stamps from eight participating breweries in the Eugene-Springfield area. They will earn you a 64oz amber Eugene Ale Trail growler.

Visit their website for complete details. You’ll also find suggestions for safe transportation. They recommend either a chauffeured driver or designated driver. https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/eugene-ale-trail/.

Eugene residents are a friendly lot and they love living where they do. They are happy to share their city, its beauty and its quirky side. For more help planning your trip, visit https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/eugene/.